Residents of the Ayobo and Agboyi-Ketu areas in Lagos have voiced concerns over the neglect of water transportation infrastructure, despite Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to prioritise dredging and channelisation to enhance mobility and livelihoods.
Over the years, communities in these regions have repeatedly called on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to prioritise water transportation to ease congestion and boost socio-economic activities.
During his campaign, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised to dredge the waterways from Ijon, Ayobo, to Mile 2 and to open up channels linking Agboyi-Ketu and the Ikorodu axis to facilitate boat navigation.
However, residents report that these promises remain largely unfulfilled, allegedly due to sabotage by individuals acting out of self-interest, which may not be fully known to the governor.
Kamaldeen Gbadeyanka, a local resident, noted that while LASG has completed roads to the modern jetty terminal at Ijon, there is little evidence of progress on the essential dredging projects needed for water transportation.
It is believed that the dredging of waterways would significantly improve access to Ayobo and its surroundings.
More concerning are allegations from some residents about the misappropriation of funds designated for dredging projects.
They claim that funds have been diverted through questionable decisions by the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), prioritising projects like the Ilado-Ilashe-Odofin waterways, which primarily benefit affluent areas, over more critical infrastructure needs in other suburbs.
Residents are particularly frustrated that the dredging along the Ayobo and Agboyi-Ketu axis, which could greatly alleviate the heavy road traffic, has been overlooked in favor of areas like the already deep 5 Cowries-Lekki-Lagoon-Parkview/Banana Island waterways.
They are appealing to Governor Sanwo-Olu to prioritize dredging that would directly benefit their communities.
Residents further claim that the ongoing dredging and channelisation efforts suffer from poor execution due to the incompetence of the contractors, who lack the necessary expertise and equipment.
The improvement of water transportation infrastructure is seen as a key driver for economic transformation across communities in Lagos State. Unfortunately, the waterways in Ayobo and Agboyi-Ketu remain clogged with mud and weeds, obstructing navigation routes to other parts of the state.
Concerned residents are calling for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s immediate intervention to ensure that resources are not wasted and that contracts for dredging are awarded only to those with the necessary competence and equipment, to facilitate a rapid enhancement of water infrastructure in Lagos State.
